Alex Noren signed for a bogey-free 67 on Saturday for a 19-under 194 total marking his low 54-hole total on Tour and setting a new scoring record for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
This is his second 54-hole lead/co-lead on the PGA Tour where the 10-time European Tour winner is seeking his first victory in his 162nd career start.
“This is what you dream of, having a chance to win and being up in the final group on a Saturday, Sunday. I really enjoyed it today. I came off maybe a little colder start, but I played good enough to kind of get that 4 under in the end. I’m very happy, happy with that and happy to be in the lead still.
“It was a while ago since I led and I don’t know if I’ve led on this tour coming into the final day. Yeah, I have actually, once. But it’s a golf course that I like. I like the wind, I like this turf. So it’s going to be fun tomorrow, I really look forward to it.”
After a runner-up finish at last week’s World Wide Technology Championship, where he was the 54-hole co-leader, Colombia’s Camilo Villegas carded a 65 to move into second place at 18-under. A four-time winner on Tour, his last victory came at the 2014 Wyndham Championship.
“I feel comfortable out there, just trying to keep it really light with my caddie,” said Villegas. “Today was going to be a little slower round with 82 guys making the cut and just trying not to waste too much energy, just being too focused.
“Yeah, played nicely. I was very patient because I did make a bogey on 4 and then just kind of missed on 5, didn’t make birdie on 6, good birdie on 7 and then got going there 9, 10, 11, 12, and the finishing stretch is a little tougher. Hit good shots, especially on that 15 and 16th hole. Got away with a drive on 17, made a good 4 there. I thought actually I made that eagle putt.
“But overall, three days, one more, just got to keep doing the same thing. I don’t even know where I am. Hopefully I’m in the last group and see what happens.
“This is a mental grind here all the time and the guys that are playing their best golf are obviously, technique-wise they’re really good, but they’re very comfortable and confident and all that good stuff. I’ve been working on that end, been working on my swing quite a bit. I feel like the changes are finally starting to feel a little bit more natural. It’s been a big overhaul and I’ve been patient with that, too.”
Germany’s Matti Schmid made five consecutive birdies from the 5th as well as another birdie, an eagle at the par-5 17th and two bogeys to close with a 65 and a share of third place at 17-under.
American Ryan Moore, seeking his first victory since the 2016 John Deere Classic, shot a 67 for his share of third place.
Stewart Cink completes the top-5 at 16-under after a bogey-free 66. With a win, the 50-year-old American would become the oldest PGA Tour winner since Phil Mickelson at the 2021 PGA Championship.
